Ongoing thoughts on my martial studies and interests, which encompass almost everything.

Monday, March 3, 2014

One Day in the Life

I discovered
this photograph on the Grand Master Donald Bohan’s Memorial Website at http://www.bohans-family.com/index.htm
, this site is maintained by Wayne Wyland. It was taken in Salisbury Maryland
on the day Mitchum Sensei was there to have seminars. Those attending, shown
here, were the IKC seniors of Lewis Sensei who also were present at my black
belt test.

It was a sunny day in Salisbury, Md. Harold Mitchum was visiting Mr.
Lewis’ dojo, the original karate barn, to hold two clinics. One for those
under black belt and one for black belts. It was also the day I was to be
tested bythe IKC (Isshinryu Karate Club’s
of Tom Lewis).

I was then training under Charlie Murray in the Scranton area. We had traveled there for the clinics and for
my black belt testing. Chariie had
driven me to Seaford, Delaware (his home) to attend. I was originally a student
of Lewis Sensei, but I ended up in Scranton, Pa. having to move for work. A
year later Charles took a church nearby and I had started training with him
since that date.

We had the first clinic. Most of it is just a memory but I
recall Mitchum Sensei talking about his experiences on Okinawa and Shimabuku
Sensei.

While waiting for the
2nd one to begin, I was asked by several of my seniors if I didn’t
want to spar. They had me go with one of Reese Rigby’s brown belts. I remember going
back and forth with him, then Charles tearing out of Sensei’s office shouting
at me. “Victor, what do you think you are doing, you should be saving your
energy.” He put a stop to that happening.I think I imagine those black belts watching were having fun.

Then the 2nd clinic began. I believe Mitchum
Sensei went further demonstrating kata.He explained that many of the current kobudo kata were not done in those
day. Because Charles had me learn the Tonfa kata from the Steve Armstrong film
of Shimabuku
Sensei, I was requested to perform it. I did it then.

It was after the clinic this picture was taken. The person
marked unknown on the photograph is Buddy Summers, who was one of the
individuals who trained with me when I started in Salisbury.

After the clinics we went out to dinner. It seemed all were
watching me. One of the instructor’s remarked perhaps I shouldn’t be eating. I
was on pins and needles.

I remember leaving, being taken to Lewis Sensei’s home to
get ready, and then being blindfolded and taken for a drive. It seemed to go on
forever.

Finally I ended up at the dojo. I was taken in, eventually
to face Mr. Mitchum, Mr. Lewis and the IKC members there for my testing.

I do not talk openly about the event, suffice it was long
and unique.

Eventually it ended, I was taken back to the locker room,
eventually blindfolded, then taken to Sensei’s office. Then I was awarded my
black belt.

I recall a party afterward, but none of the details that
occurred.

Eventually I returned to Charles home and went to bed. My
new black belt was under the pillow. Thoughts that I certainly wasn’t good
enough and that I had to now work harder, were going thorough my head as I fell
asleep.

The next day as we were driving back to Scranton Charles
(who was then in his role as a Pentacostal Mininster) asked me a question. “Victor, if you are in a plane at 30,000
feet and it is going to crash, what good is your karate going to do you.”

I replied, “Why, I’d get into the aisle, assume Sanchin stance and at the
exact moment of impact would strike forward neutralizing the impact.”

1 comment:

There is another great story that goes with this picture. Several months ago I ask Master Lewis what Master Mitchum thought of the Gi Master Lockwood was wearing the day this picture was taken. I've been around Master Mitchum enough to know he prefers a white Gi with only the Isshin-ryu patch on it. Master Lewis said the first time he saw that Gi was when Master Lockwood walked out of the dressing room that very day. He said he ask him "What the hell are you thinking wearing that damn thing, Master Mitchum will be here any minute". He said Master Lockwood replied "My wife made this and gave to me for our anniversary last night". Needless to say Master Lewis let him wear it, but he add that was the last time he saw it.

I checked with Anna and her mom still has the uniform hanging in the closet.

And you have to admit - one has to be a bad man to wear that and look good doing it.